Baptism (Loyalty Oath)

What Is Baptism for the Dead?

Ken

I’m not Mormon, yet Paul did say, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1Corinthians 15:29 KJV). Baptism depicts: “we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Baptism is a Loyalty Oath of confessing ‘Jesus is Lord’ before the world, required by those who do the baptizing, so the convert can have the understanding they are now saved. “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NET). 

[This is a longer entry. Scan ahead to see how long.]

Mormons believe, “With a few exceptions everyone will be redeemed” — kind of a universalism — but first, Mormons will go to Paradise, everyone else will go to Spirit Prison, where “Righteous spirits” will preach to them, giving them a chance to repent. Meanwhile, on earth, Mormon faithful will consent to be “baptized or confirmed by proxy for (in behalf of) someone,” which would be done in Mormon temple worship, i.e., being baptized for the dead. But, before dealing with Baptism for the Dead —

How does Scripture deal with Mormon beliefs? 

First, since God was here first, humanity in general, and Mormons in particular, have the burden of proving their case to God. In other words, God is the Judge, not you. Remember, the words of Joseph Smith or Doctrines and Covenants do not establish truth, but must reply to What Saith the Scripture? “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding” (Job 38:2-4 KJV). 

Second, Mormons significantly add to the divine revelation of the traditional Word of God by establishing the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price as of equal importance. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19). 

Third, Mormons fatally mistake Jesus as merely one of the gods or simply a spirit brother of Lucifer, when He is in fact the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, Him By Whom All Things Consist, Him With Whom We Have to Do, the Judge of All the Earth, the Savior of the World. “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:9-11).

Fourth, Mormons misrepresent the afterlife, since Jesus’ account of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) informs us that the Rich Man in “hell” (Greek, hadēs) was not exceptionally evil, just rich, was not debating for a second chance, no Righteous Spirit was attempting to gain his repentance, and a “great gulf fixed” (16:26) prevented his escape or help ever to reach him. 

Now, what about Paul’s statement, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for [Greek, huper, concerning] the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for [Greek, huper, concerning] the dead?” (1Corinthians 15:29)? 

First, evangelical Bible interpreters do not agree what baptism for the dead must absolutely mean, but it concerns the resurrection, i.e., why baptism for the dead, “if the dead rise not at all?” (15:29). 

Second, since evangelical Bible interpreters (along with Mormons) have offered their opinions, so I offer my opinion. I will paraphrase 1Corinthians 15:29, ‘Else what shall they do which are baptized concerning or because of the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized concerning or because of the dead?” 

Third, baptism is not then for the benefit of the dead or departed ones (as Mormons mistakenly believe), baptism is concerning or because of the dead, who will resurrect with Christ, as shall we, who are baptized. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:13). Baptism is that truth representing our death to sin, conversion to Christ, forgiveness of our sins, reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), resurrection to new life, and final resurrection to eternity in Heaven with Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). 

Father, cause Your Spirit to bless us with a revelation of Your Son to us. May our appreciation of Baptism for the Dead be an occasion for rejoicing what You have done for us, giving us newness of life in Christ Jesus. Magnify Your name. Lord Jesus, return quickly for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Blindness of the Church (Part 2)

Ken

The most profound but simple truths are like Christ’s Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, while the more complicated truths are like Paul’s explanation for Israel’s blindness. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25 KJV). God is not finished with Israel, but His primary focus is presently on the Church, until the Church has been raptured. Doctrinal blindness separates the Church, such as the “doctrine of baptisms” (Hebrews 6:2). Some Church of Christ identify the necessity of water baptism for salvation in a First Principles studies in preparation for discipleship. “1 Therefore leaving the principles [literally, first principles] of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God: 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (6:1-2). 

My opinion, the doctrinal chasm between mainline evangelicals and the Church of Christ lies in the social significance of baptism as His appointed means: (1) for the Body of Christ to identify those who claim loyalty to Christ, i.e., “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1Corinthians 12:3), (2) for the new disciple to publicly claim his loyalty to Christ, i.e., “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NET), and (3) for God’s supernatural-but-not-omniscient enemies to become informed, this disciple has switched loyalties to Christ, so ‘Keep your hands off,’ i.e., “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm” (1Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15 KJV). The Father already knows who believes, but He requires us to be baptized before we can claim the Holy Spirit as our right of sonship, i.e., “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

LORD, may the Body of Christ’s understanding allow us to get beyond the “doctrine of baptisms” (Hebrews 6:2) and “go on unto perfection” (6:2). Let us see our similarities in Jesus are more than our differences. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Where Freedom Ends

Ken

My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins. God created all humans “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27 KJV) with the potential of free moral choice. Without the liberty or freedom of choice, humanity is less than human — reduced to slavery, serfdom, or a clone imitation of a real human. But, the very freedom to choose must also contain the seeds of rejection of that liberty, unless the subsequent generations choose to continue in that liberty. If left solely in the hands of humankind, then we are in great peril of being the last generation who understands the Truth. But, glory be to God, He has given us His Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:24), through the new birth (John 7:39) and baptism (Acts 2:38) to ensure the success of Truth to the end! “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). 

Meet Me in Heaven

Ken

Shouldn’t we all be able to say, “Meet me in Heaven”? Scripture gives us the certainty of our heavenly destination from our daily walk. “3 And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1John 2:3-6 KJV). But, the art of obedience should not be underrated — just ask Adam and Eve. God has gone through a lot of trouble to give us the gift of His Spirit to ensure our obedience. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). When was the Spirit given? Officially, when Peter gave the invitation at Pentecost. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Subsequently, has anyone received the Spirit before baptism? Yes, ask Cornelius (Acts 10). Then, why insist on baptism to receive the Holy Spirit? Because through baptism our loyalty is pledged, and it must be demonstrated for all to see and know, we stand with Jesus. “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Even though God knows our heart, He places a high value on everyone else knowing we stand with Him — especially making the point to His adversary the devil — He insists we become baptized before we lay claim to His Spirit. LORD, You have given us everything — physical life, Your Son, eternal life, but especially Your Spirit. May we walk in gratitude and power that we would be able to meet as many as You our God will call, one day in Heaven. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Baptism: The Icing on the Cake

Ken

Other than the Lord’s Supper (known also as Communion or the Eucharist), Baptism is the other significant ordinance commanded by Christ, and historically much debated by the Church. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations [‘make disciples of all nations,’ NIV], baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19 KJV). To clarify, we are to make disciples of all nations and baptize them. No single explanation on baptism will satisfy all religious traditions; but, for conscience sake, can anyone gain entry into the Body of Christ, while defying the command, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38)? To be clear, no one or no thing saves except Jesus. Even if baptism is considered as a condition of salvation, baptism is more than a personal decision, but the outward approval of those who do the baptizing that the recipient has indeed fulfilled the terms for salvation, i.e., we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit by (1) turning to Jesus and BELIEVING on Him to save us from our sins (Acts 16:31), (2) turning away from our sins by REPENTING of them entirely (Acts 2:38), (3) FORSAKING or be willing to forsake everything for Jesus (Luke 18:22), and (4) CONFESSING Jesus is now the Lord or boss of our life (Romans 10:9). LORD, may Your body of believing, practicing disciples find our agreement in Christ about baptism “that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Amen and amen. 

What Really Saves Us?

Ken

It is not what, but who saves us? If Jesus is not the answer to that question, then you have a problem with salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). Do you know Him as Yeshua, Messiah, Christ, or the LORD, then you are still referring to Jesus. Did repentance or turning away from sin save you? “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Did baptism or taking the loyalty oath to Jesus save you? Did faith or trusting in Jesus to forgive your sins save you? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Did confessing Jesus to be your Lord save you? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Yes to all the above, but it really is Jesus that saves you. Lest you become confused and start insisting that you are getting yourself to Heaven because you believed, repented, confessed Jesus as Lord, or you took the loyalty oath and were baptized, so you are now saved. You are saved only because and for as long as He says you are saved, because of Jesus! Accept no other! LORD, help us to put our eyes upon Thee and never remove them! Amen and amen. 

Battle Plan for Victory

Ken

If the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD was the consummation of biblical prophecies, and we are evolving towards the New Heavens and New Earth with a gospel to address societal ills, how are we doing? On the other hand, if we are waiting for the Rapture, and the world’s “going-to-hell-in-a-hand-cart,” again, how are we doing? Either way, not so good. What’s the battle plan? “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16 KJV). The Gospel is a supernatural offering of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Son of God for the world, as an atonement for the sins of all those who believe and are baptized (a loyalty oath). Societal ills will be affected by the holy living of disciples; otherwise, disciples have not experienced a supernatural gospel transformation. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Finally, Christ will not return to rapture His Church until the Father has decided that the Gospel has been fully preached in all the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14 KJV). Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen and amen.